How to spot the signs of depression in older
people

Tuesday 6th February, 2018

We are all prone to feeling a little
deflated at times, but when that feeling persists for a long period and begins
to affect our quality of life, it’s time to take things more seriously. Older
people can be more at risk of becoming depressed, with around one in four people
over the age of 65 developing depression at some point in their lives.

Despite this relatively high proportion of
older adults suffering from this condition, a staggering 85 per cent
never receive any help from the NHS. This can be for a number of reasons,
from refusal to seek help to the condition going unnoticed by caregivers.
Recognising the signs of depression and seeking help for the person can mean an
earlier intervention, and shorter recovery period. Here’s what you need to
know.

What causes depression?

People older
than 65 are more at risk of becoming depressed than younger people, for a
variety of reasons. They may feel down due to giving up work, struggling
financially or losing a partner or friend. The majority of older people manage
to cope remarkably well with these challenges, but for some; depression is a
real risk.

Some of the most
commonly identified causes of depression in older adults include:

· Long term illnesses and failing health:People who are living with a debilitating condition, cognitive decline, chronic
pain or disability can often feel depressed about their situation.

· Bereavements: The death of a friend or
family member, in particular a spouse, or a beloved pet can be a trigger for
depression.

· Isolation and loneliness: Suddenly
living alone or having a dwindling circle of friends can make depression a
higher risk. Similarly, losing driving privileges or no longer being able to
participate in favourite activities because of physical challenges can reduce
the person’s sense of purpose and negatively affect their outlook on life.

· Anxiety: Older adults can become anxious
for a variety of reasons. Financial worries can mount up, they may be fearful
of dying or about their health, or they might find living alone uncomfortable.
These fears can quickly develop into depression if not addressed.

If you or
someone you know has experienced some of these issues, being aware of
depression symptoms and acting accordingly can help tackle the problem more
efficiently. Some medicines can also make older people feel depressed,
including beta blockers, blood pressure medication, cholesterol control drugs
and steroids. If you or someone you know feels depressed after starting a new
medicine, talk to a doctor to see if there is an alternative.

Signs of depression in older adults

Clinical
depression is more than just feeling a bit down. It’s a persistent,
debilitating condition that is hard to shake, and will start to affect many
aspects of your life if left untreated. Common symptoms include:

· Loss of interest in hobbies,
social activities and conversations

· Feelings of hopelessness,
despair and of being a ‘burden’

· Slowed movement or speech

· Weight loss, loss of appetite
or, in some cases, overeating

· Increased use of alcohol or
drugs

· Lack of energy, low motivation

· Neglect of self-care, such as
not washing, forgetting medications and not eating

· Problems with sleep

· Thoughts of death and suicide

In younger
people, depression can often manifest itself as a sad feeling. However, with
older people, this ‘sad’ feeling often doesn’t occur, and instead they will
complain of physical pains, a lack of energy and low motivation. Physical
complaints such as headaches, arthritis pains and random bodily aches are often
the predominant symptom of depression, so keep an eye out for this.

Depression is a clinical
illness, which can be treated with medication and therapy. Older people may be
reluctant to seek help, due to the perceived stigma associated with mental
health problems which is typical of their generation. However, it’s important
to point out that times have moved on, and that our understanding of mental
health has improved, so they really don’t need to suffer in silence.

As
active members of the local community, we welcome a variety of visitors to the
home to share their enthusiasm, knowledge and experiences with our residents.

We even have our own
mini-bus, enabling residents to take trips to places they’ve long enjoyed
visiting or discover new interests locally. Our team know exactly how to
provide a fun and engaging fitness and wellbeing programme too. And, of course,
family and friends are welcome to join in when visiting.